Friday, April 20, 2012

Low Thyroid - Why Is It On The Increase


Hashimoto S Thyroiditis Diet Low Thyroid - Why Is It On The Increase.

The thyroid is a gland, situated in the lower part of your neck, lying against and around the voice box and windpipe. The gland is responsible for production of the thyroid hormones. These hormones, when they pass into the bloodstream, act as chemical messengers between other internal organs and tissues and regulate the rate of metabolism. Working inside the cell, thyroid hormone act as a factor that stimulates production of other hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters.

Thyroid regulates release of energy within cells and in the whole body. In the process of releasing the energy, carbohydrates are turned into glucose and carbon dioxide is being produced.

Two most common problems associated with thyroid dysfunction are: hypothyroidism (when thyroid doesn't produce enough hormone) and hyperthyroidism (when too much thyroid hormone is produced). Only first condition is responsible for weight gain. Hypothyroidism is on increase throughout the world. The development of medical science is partly responsible for this trend: not so long ago, children with faulty genes didn't live long enough to pass them on. Nowadays, at least in certain parts of the world, this children are being saved and when they grow they pass the low thyroid genes on their offspring. Other factors, that play a big role in increase of thyroid problems are: our environment loaded with heavy metals, pollution of air and contamination of food. The matter is not helped by attitude of health professionals who too often dismiss symptoms of hypothyroidism as something that the patient needs to put up with.

If thyroid gland didn't evolve properly whilst in the womb, the child is being born with disproportionate abdomen, enlarged tongue and weakness of muscles. Mild cases of thyroid deficiency very often go unnoticed but baby doesn't develop as normal: may sleep too much and eat too little falling to achieve the optimum of development. More often than not, early thyroid deficiency causes problems later in life. Children with thyroid malfunction are usually under achievers: low thyroid translates directly into low grades at school, poor social interactions and low self-esteem.

Thyroid may also fail at certain point in life: after traumatic event, during puberty or after pregnancy. Thyroid slows down when we age or when we absorb too much iron from food. Thyroid failure may also be caused by autoimmune disease like Hashimoto's disease or glandular fever.

When deficiency of iodine is behind the problem, our thyroid increases in size to compensate for the shortage. Minerals that play crucial role in healthy thyroid are: selenium, iron, boron, manganese, magnesium, zinc, calcium. There are a plenty of supplements on the market that combine everything that necessary to improve sluggish thyroid and boost well - being.

Chronic thyroid problem may also be caused by environmental poisons like: mercury, cadmium and lead. We are exposed to mercury from dental amalgam, commercial waste and as a preservative in vaccinations. It affect our kidneys, nervous system, thyroid and adrenal glands and may cause a progressive weakness of the muscles. In many cases removing of amalgam and replacing it with ceramic fillings proved to benefit the patient. Than, there are some foods that cause thyroid suppression: tobacco, alcohol, tea, coffee and some vegetables.

Fluoride contained in toothpaste, water supplies and in a waste products also compromises proper function of thyroid gland. Fluoride has a negative impact on human nervous system and is associated with behavioural problems. Low thyroid patients are advised to avoid toothpaste with fluoride and drink bottled or filtered water.

Some argue that lack of iodine is not the most common factor behind the increase of hypothyroidism in western world but autoimmune disease (autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto's disease). When body starts to attack its own immune system, normal tissues are invaded and destroyed. Very often immune system improves dramatically when gluten - free diet is adopted.

hashimoto s thyroiditis diet.